Going to a 5 year old bday party, is 529 contribution a good gift?

[Anonymous]

The parents will love it. The 5 year old will think that you didn't bring a gift, but he also won't care.

[Anonymous]

This is worse than giving them socks and underwear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Idk half the birthday parties I go to for the 5 and under set are "no present" parties.

I ignore those requests. Yeah, that's me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The parents will love it. The 5 year old will think that you didn't bring a gift, but he also won't care.

Sure, but when he's 18 he will care more. I liked looking over who gave me treasury bonds when I cashed them in for college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As the parent, I'd love it. The kid will get enough junk toys from other people.

Another parent who loves it. Just a book or an ice cream outing, and the 529 (assuming you are local). I would totally appreciate this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Idk half the birthday parties I go to for the 5 and under set are "no present" parties.

I ignore those requests. Yeah, that's me.

See OP? This is why you don't need to worry that the kid will be left empty-handed and traumatized.

An aunt used to send me a $10 check every birthday, which my parents deposited into a credit union for me. It was a cute oddity to me then, but I appreciated the extra pocket change once I was old enough to want to treat myself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Be sure to knit them a sweater for Christmas while you're at it.

LOL!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lame grandma idea.

A gift card would be better than that if you don't want to get a toy or book.

Gotta disagree. Fabulous gift.

[Anonymous]

Its a nice thought but get a gift, even a small one. A gift card to Target or a favorite restaurant is great. My sister, no kids, got a gift card to my child's favorite restaurant which covered a few meals for a few visits and it was great idea.

[Anonymous]

Since the kid is turning 5 yrs old, you have to remember they are into tangible gifts. Giving a 529 is like telling trying to explain thermodynamics to them and, by the way, happy birthday buddy.

Do you have the kid's SSN? You'll need that for a 529 contribution.

If you're set on the 529, give that along with a small gift (Water Wow booklet, small puzzle, etc) so the kid has something to open.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Idk half the birthday parties I go to for the 5 and under set are "no present" parties.

I ignore those requests. Yeah, that's me.

Yep for a 4 year old birthday we were invited to with “no present”, we gave a card with $30 cash. Written in card was happy birthday and gift for his 529 or college fund.

With regular birthdays the kids get a ton of presents so I love the idea of 529 gift. The child won’t even realize it’s 1 less present out of many and it’s 1 less clutter for the house.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Idk half the birthday parties I go to for the 5 and under set are "no present" parties.

I ignore those requests. Yeah, that's me.

Yep for a 4 year old birthday we were invited to with “no present”, we gave a card with $30 cash. Written in card was happy birthday and gift for his 529 or college fund.

With regular birthdays the kids get a ton of presents so I love the idea of 529 gift. The child won’t even realize it’s 1 less present out of many and it’s 1 less clutter for the house.

If your house is that cluttered, stop buying stuff. Or, get rid of stuff.

[Anonymous]

For close friends and family who you know already have accounts in place, I think it’s a very generous idea. Otherwise it is presumptuous

[Anonymous]

No - get a $20 Target gift card. My 6 year old really enjoyed going to Target and picking out her own gift when she got one of those this year.

[Anonymous]

I feel like 529 gifts are for family - my parents give us 529 money for holidays and birthdays, but it would be weird if a friend did. Get something the kid will enjoy - especially at this age. If it was a one year old birthday, sure 529 would be fine, but a 5 year old will want something tangible.